| February 2007 |
| By Rose Curtis |
The use of video resumes to apply for jobs has skyrocketed in popularity, especially among recent graduates. But, is the use of this new digital "resume" a wave of the future, or is it just a fad? Although they're great for helping employers quickly ascertain a job applicant's communication skills -- potentially giving them an advantage over other candidates lacking this kind of job tool -- there are several significant downfalls to these types of "resumes," including technology obstacles and potential legal ramifications. Here's a look at some of their pros and cons.
Advantages of Video Resumes
Usually spanning one to three minutes long, video resumes can be excellent complements to traditional resumes, allowing job applicants to highlight certain skills, such as leadership, presentation, and creative abilities. Although they are mostly circulated in professions that are influenced by appearances -- such as singing, dancing, and acting -- video resumes are now successfully being used in more conventional fields such as Information Technology. Some IT professionals are beginning to adopt video resumes as a way to showcase both their soft skills (like communication abilities) and technical acumen (such as graphic design, animation, and programming projects). One common mistake that many IT professionals make in their resumes is to underrate the value of non-technical skills, such as the ability to communicate and work with co-workers. The key to creating an unbeatable IT resume is to incorporate both soft and hard skills. Another advantage for IT professionals lacking extensive professional experience is that video resumes can help emphasize one's potential rather than spotlight a brief work history.
With the availability of affordable, good-quality digital recorders, making a video resume has never been easier. Many young professionals and recent graduates are already using social networking web sites, such as YouTube, Vault and MySpace, to post short video resumes alongside their member profiles. There are also numerous companies that provide professional video resume services, including personalized logos, special effects, background music, and an online presence for the video resume and accompanying text resume. These services usually cost a few hundred dollars.
As with a traditional resume, a video resume should concisely explain your skills and accomplishments as they relate to a prospective employer. It should also include your answers to commonly-asked interview questions, as well as your plan for making direct contact with the hirer. Be sure to make copies of the video (if sending a DVD), label each copy with your name and contact information, and include a printed version of your traditional resume. If you are sending the video as a link to a hiring manager, include your contact information within the body of the email and attach an electronic copy of your traditional resume.
The novelty of video resumes can provide an advantage over a pile of paper resumes. They are best used in two situations: to open doors to a select few employers who you are targeting, or to move forward a stalled phone interview process. Whereas a hiring manager may spend 10 seconds scanning a resume looking for a reason to reject a candidate, a video resume is something different, and therefore could hook a hirer's attention. But, there are disadvantages that you should be aware of before using a video resume.
Disadvantages of Video Resumes
One of the biggest disadvantages of video resumes is that many hiring managers and employers do not have broadband or high-speed Internet connections or use incompatible browsers that are needed to watch most emailed clips. Although this is less of a problem in the IT industry, a major concern is time. Busy hiring managers generally average 10 seconds to review each applicant's paper resume during a job placement process, let alone 60 to 180 seconds to review a video resume. If technology advances significantly in the next few years, video resumes may emerge as a potential way for a job seeker to get a leg up on the competition. But, for now, most hiring managers and recruiters will not be able to open video resumes, or they won't spend the time to review them.
Another drawback to video resumes is that there are no established guidelines for how they should look or what kind of content they should include. This lack of structure has resulted in a proliferation of video clips containing information that unintentionally discredits the job seeker, rather than bolster his or her professional qualifications. One recent example is that of a college undergraduate whose video resume featured him playing tennis, dancing, and lifting weights. This video clip quickly went viral, especially through postings on YouTube, and the job seeker became an object of amusement. Furthermore, many employers who go online to view video resumes on social networking sites can also uncover "digital dirt" in the job applicant's member profile (or elsewhere on the site), and digital dirt can easily undermine a job offer.
The most significant disadvantage to using video resumes is one that carries potential legal ramifications: the possibility of opening a door to discrimination in hiring. If an employer views a video resume then rejects a candidate after seeing how the person appears, this employer could expose himself or herself to a discrimination lawsuit. In fact, for this reason, many hiring managers are instructed to reject a job seeker's photograph if it is included with the resume or job application.
Conclusion
The video resume should not be viewed as a replacement for the traditional resume but as a potential complement, especially if you have strong communication skills and impressive work samples that are sought after by IT employers. A well-executed video resume can provide advantages to certain job seekers, including IT professionals who are looking for a way to highlight soft skills, technical abilities, and portfolio examples not accurately reflected on traditional resumes. Video resumes can also be especially helpful for entry-level IT professionals who are looking to get a foot in the hiring door but lack a paper resume that dazzles with in-depth professional experience. However, at the current time, the numerous disadvantages associated with the video resume, namely technology barriers, inappropriate content and potential legal ramifications, explain its significant drawbacks as a tool for applying to jobs. Until these disadvantages have been improved, a strong traditional resume remains the best choice --and most widely accepted method -- for applying for jobs.
Rose Curtis is a freelance writer living in New York City.
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